Englewood store owners turning attention to youth

ENGLEWOOD — Many businesses owners in the downtown district are hoping to attract a variety of new age groups and residential tenants to help this area thrive in the future.

Florence Murphy, one of the owners of children clothing store Classy Kids, felt the downtown district needed diversity in the types of shops available grab hold of a more "hip" crowd. While there are a number of stores that cater toward adults and kids, she believed a key demographic is not being serviced: the "tween" population.

"We did need a little diversity," said Murphy. "We need some hip things for people to come to town."

Erica Morrison, owner of Tea Leaves Café, similarly felt that the downtown needs to focus on bringing in new shoppers to the area in the future, but that the city should look toward attracting adults between the ages of 25 and 34.

"Those are people with families who are looking for entertainment, shopping, and dining," said Morrison. "Montclair, [for example], has a much wider diversity and variety in dining and entertainment that attracts a different type of crowd. That would be a good mix for the downtown."

Increased efforts to beatify the downtown area would also help create an environment that would encourage busy residents to take a moment and stop at local stores, said Avis Young, owner of women clothing store Closet 07631 for Her.

"Having benches in the downtown would allow people walking, walking their dog, or walking with strollers to stop in places they would not normally stop in front of," said Young. "[Additionally,] more plotted plants would help create more a comfortable town."

The key to keeping any downtown vibrant is increasing the foot traffic into the area. Stephanie Greco, owner of Greco Realty Shop, felt the best way this could be accomplished was by bringing in more residential housing and apartments to the downtown area. The construction of 188 luxury apartments called "Palisades South" and a number of units above a Rite Aid on West Palisade Avenue that were built about five years ago has already brought new tenants to the downtown. Continuing this trend would only bring more shoppers to frequent Englewood stores, said Greco.

"It establishes a community and creates more downtown living," said Greco. "Secondary benefits go to the restaurants and the realtors that serve this additional traffic."

Establishing more opportunities for renters was a sentiment that was shared with Andrew Fish, director of Treeco, a real estate equity company. Not only would apartments in the downtown create more foot traffic, but having more offices on the ground floors would encourage office workers to walk down the street and visit a local restaurant during their lunch hour.

"The downtown is the one place in the community where all four wards come together," said Fish. "The strength of Englewood comes together in the downtown and we should continue to help it emerge as dynamic place for all."

In order to plan for the future of the downtown, the Englewood Economic Development Corporation is actively working on creating a 12 month calendar to help integrate the city’s varies resources to reinforce the city’s image as shopping and entertainment district year-round, said Adam Brown, chairman of the EEDC Board of Directors. Part of this marketing will involve integrating seasonal themes with events held throughout the year, not just with the typical winter holiday season.

"We would like to plan events on the major shopping days – such as graduation or Mother’s Day - and not just the Christmas season," said Brown. "We need to look beyond the Christmas season for other important shopping days to enhance Englewood as shopping destination."

Englewood store owners turning attention to youth

ENGLEWOOD — Many businesses owners in the downtown district are hoping to attract a variety of new age groups and residential tenants to help this area thrive in the future.

Florence Murphy, one of the owners of children clothing store Classy Kids, felt the downtown district needed diversity in the types of shops available grab hold of a more "hip" crowd. While there are a number of stores that cater toward adults and kids, she believed a key demographic is not being serviced: the "tween" population.

"We did need a little diversity," said Murphy. "We need some hip things for people to come to town."

Erica Morrison, owner of Tea Leaves Café, similarly felt that the downtown needs to focus on bringing in new shoppers to the area in the future, but that the city should look toward attracting adults between the ages of 25 and 34.

"Those are people with families who are looking for entertainment, shopping, and dining," said Morrison. "Montclair, [for example], has a much wider diversity and variety in dining and entertainment that attracts a different type of crowd. That would be a good mix for the downtown."

Increased efforts to beatify the downtown area would also help create an environment that would encourage busy residents to take a moment and stop at local stores, said Avis Young, owner of women clothing store Closet 07631 for Her.

"Having benches in the downtown would allow people walking, walking their dog, or walking with strollers to stop in places they would not normally stop in front of," said Young. "[Additionally,] more plotted plants would help create more a comfortable town."

The key to keeping any downtown vibrant is increasing the foot traffic into the area. Stephanie Greco, owner of Greco Realty Shop, felt the best way this could be accomplished was by bringing in more residential housing and apartments to the downtown area. The construction of 188 luxury apartments called "Palisades South" and a number of units above a Rite Aid on West Palisade Avenue that were built about five years ago has already brought new tenants to the downtown. Continuing this trend would only bring more shoppers to frequent Englewood stores, said Greco.

"It establishes a community and creates more downtown living," said Greco. "Secondary benefits go to the restaurants and the realtors that serve this additional traffic."

Establishing more opportunities for renters was a sentiment that was shared with Andrew Fish, director of Treeco, a real estate equity company. Not only would apartments in the downtown create more foot traffic, but having more offices on the ground floors would encourage office workers to walk down the street and visit a local restaurant during their lunch hour.

"The downtown is the one place in the community where all four wards come together," said Fish. "The strength of Englewood comes together in the downtown and we should continue to help it emerge as dynamic place for all."

In order to plan for the future of the downtown, the Englewood Economic Development Corporation is actively working on creating a 12 month calendar to help integrate the city’s varies resources to reinforce the city’s image as shopping and entertainment district year-round, said Adam Brown, chairman of the EEDC Board of Directors. Part of this marketing will involve integrating seasonal themes with events held throughout the year, not just with the typical winter holiday season.

"We would like to plan events on the major shopping days – such as graduation or Mother’s Day - and not just the Christmas season," said Brown. "We need to look beyond the Christmas season for other important shopping days to enhance Englewood as shopping destination."